Quote Originally Posted by ssmdive View Post
Plus you claimed, "Giles Henderson whips the Sportsman category in a clipped wing J-3 Cub." Yet the data you provided had him flying a plane other than a cub. So either your data set was wrong, or you were wrong.
Giles Henderson won Sportsman at the 1971 and 1975 US Nationals and also won Sportsman at the IAC Championships (Championships of the America's) in 1983, 1986, 1987, and placed top three in many other years and flights there over the years while flying his J-3. Research the the IAC Championship, it was just as big a deal, or bigger than the current US Nationals since it was open to foreign pilots to win. Another thing to consider about contests from that period, many had 30 to 50+ Sportsman pilots compared with barely 20 in Sportsman at the current US Nationals. Its the pilot, not the mount he's flying.


Quote Originally Posted by ssmdive View Post
You skipped the point that sportsman is not designed for Rob Holland to fly.
Pilots can choose any category based on what fits their individual skill, airplane, desires, pocketbook, etc. Sportsman is for anyone to fly and have fun with. It would be great to see Rob in Sportsman this year in Sherman...and he might beat me. If so, oh well, he was better that week. I'll be back next year. Pilots move up/down in category all the time for all sorts of reasons.

Sport Aerobatics is about having fun and hanging out with friends you meet over the years. Given that perspective the 7ECA is a perfect airplane for contests because its WAY cheaper to operate than the thirsty 300+hp motors.

If all you are looking for is medals and trophies, you be disappointed many more times than not no matter what aircraft you are flying.